Things People Could Do to Relieve Stress

Unrelenting stress can lead to illness, sleeplessness and the inability to function normally. Stress on the body results in fatigue and breaks down the immune system, leaving you open to disease. Certain techniques can relieve stress and relax the mind and body. Incorporating these methods into your daily life can help decrease the negative mental and physical effects associated with stress.

Yoga

• Working out by running or aerobic exercise may be good for the body, but because of its heart-pounding demands, may not work to relax the stressful mind. Yoga incorporates breathing and meditation exercises along with stretching that release knots in muscles, but also relax the mind and spirit. Slow stretching and gentle bending are best suited towards relieving stress that settles into your neck and shoulders.

Breathing

• People with stress and anxiety tend to breathe in with short, shallow breaths. Breathing exercises help the sufferer concentrate on their breathing. With slow inhalation and exhalation, the heart rate decreases and the mind relaxes. Set aside 10-minute intervals three times throughout the day to practice breathing exercises and relax your mind and body.

Seclusion and Music

• Find a secluded area of the house or yard. This may be the bathtub or a lawn chair under the shade tree in the corner of the yard. Relaxing for 15 minutes in a warm, lavender-scented tub can sooth tired muscles and give you the private time you need to collect your thoughts. Play music or listen to tunes from your MP3 player as you rest in the sanctuary of your backyard.

Watching Movies or Reading

• Escapism is often a way for people to relieve stress in their lives. Reading a good book or watching an interesting drama provides an escape from the stresses in life, and offers a way to forget the worries that cloud our minds. By escaping the stress for awhile, you may look at the situation in a new light and discover it is not as bad as it seemed before.